PRICHARD, Alabama – The city arrested two people early New
Year's Day for illegally firing guns weeks after the Prichard City Council
approved an ordinance cracking down on the dangerous gun play.

Jazmine T. Chestang, 34, and Jerrick F. Grissett, 31, both
of Mobile, were arrested around 1:08 a.m. Jan. 1, on Lyric Avenue in Prichard, and were booked into Metro Jail on a charges of discharging a firearm within city
limits.

Police seized two 45-caliber pistols and a
12-gauge shotgun.

"We had enough vehicles (on the scene) and circled the
location," Speziale said. "We had a car stopped (near where the two men were
located) and heard the shots right over our shoulders."

Aside from that incident, Speziale said New Year's Eve was
relatively quiet.

"I am always pleased when you don't have a situation that is
chaotic and places people in danger," he said.

Speziale said police stepped up patrols during New Year's
Eve. He said approximately 20 officers in seven vehicles in a "tactical patrol
force" went into several neighborhoods on Dec. 31, and approached people to
inform them that they were policing during the night.

"We did a community policing where we walked and talked to
folks and said it was not acceptable (to engage in dangerous gun play) and for
them to enjoy their holiday," Speziale said.

Police did confiscate some guns near an apartment complex near
Lott Road, Speziale said. The guns were seized from a man who had placed the
guns in his car.

Speziale said the guns' owner, who was the man's father,
retrieved them on Thursday.

"I was pleased (with his officer's) professionalism during
the night," Speziale said. "They were working in the rain and (ensuring) public
safety. That's what this was about."